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British T* Lose in EuroCourt
Contributed by Rachelle Austin, Peter, and Sabrina
via NewsPlanet
July 30, 1998
The European Court of Human Rights' surprising ruling says that the
inability of British transsexuals to change their birth certificates is a mere
"inconvenience."
In a stunning defeat for British transsexuals, the European Court of Human Rights ruled July 30 that the U.K.
can remain the last member of the European Union to refuse to issue new birth certificates following sex
reassignment surgery. The Court's decision reversed a 15 - 1 finding in March 1997 by the European
Commission on Human Rights in favor of the two plaintiffs, Kristina Sheffield and Rosa Horsham. The two
had argued that the lack of new birth certificates violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human
Rights by interfering with their privacy and family life; neither can legally marry in Britain. However, they say
that three other similar cases have been approved for consideration by the Commission, and the current
ruling included a caution that increasing social acceptance of transsexualism indicates that nations which are
signatories to the Convention must keep its legal aspects under review.
The EuroCourt found that nations may restrict marriage to a union between a man and a woman "of
biological origin" and deemed the forced revelation of transsexual status represented by the birth certificates
to be an "inconvenience" rather than a denial of privacy rights. By contrast, the Commission had found that
the UK's insistence on maintaining as an historical record existing birth records based on "biological
indicators" to be unjustified socially, medically and scientifically.
Both Sheffield and Horsham underwent reassignment surgery in 1986.
Sheffield's wife divorced her and
obtained a court order to prevent any contact with their child. The decorated Royal Air Force veteran with
more than 30 years' experience as a pilot also lost her job and has not been able to find work as a pilot
since, although earlier this year she won a ruling of hiring discrimination from a British industrial tribunal.
Horsham feels she's been living "in exile" in Holland, where she can legally marry her male partner, but is
concerned that that marriage would not be recognized if she returned to the U.K.
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Michael or Michelle? Top U.S. Names Revealed
Contributed by Jamie Faye Fenton
via BTL News
July 31, 1998
The U.S. Social Security Administration has established a web site listing the most popular given names in America from 1960 to 1997. Emily and Hannah are in, Susan, out.
To find out where your name is, you can visit the SSA web site at http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/NOTES/note139/topten3.html
Actors Sought For Brandon Teena Movie
July 31, 1998
In October, Kimberly Peirce will be directing an independent feature film
currently entitled "Take It Like A Man" inspired by the Brandon Teena
story.
We are casting the role of "Lewis," (the Brandon Teena inspired part). We
need a charismatic, charming, funny and handsome girl who looks 19-22
years old and can pull off the role of a girl who lived and loved as a
man.
We appreciate all of the help we've gotten over the past couple of years,
and now are asking for any names, numbers or ideas of people who may be
right for this part.
If you could help us in any way--by mentioning the project to your
friends, hanging up a poster, or, if you're a performer, making a
submission--we'd be really grateful.
Our production office number is 212-473-3950, and our e-mail is
jlix@aol.com. If you or someone you know would be right for the part,
please call us. We will send you script pages which can use to make a
videotape.
Male Panty Lines
Contributed by Sharon Marie
via NY Daily News
July 30, 1998
NEW YORK- Last summer, you may have noticed that New York women added visible panty
line to their style repertoire, purposefully sporting dark briefs under
thin, tight and light pants. Really, there was no where to look but down.
Now, boys can do it too! Fruit of the Loom and BVD are introducing "High
Fashion" lines, which means guys shopping at Kmart and Cosco where, to be
honest, most of us buy our undies, will now be able to buy theirs in all
manner of cuts from low-rise to ribbed bikini to referee stripe. We have
no idea what the latter is, and frankly the nice man at Fruit of the Loom,
marketing manager Michael Jindrich, had trouble explaining. "You want me
to be explicit?" he sighed, and then wasn't.
At any rate. the underwear
company is bringing daring brief fashions in intense colors to the masses
(three-packs will average $7.99). Some of these briefs look just like
panties with their crinkly elastic waistband and leg holes and noticeable
lack of, uh, that opening that's, uh. usually in the front. Why this
radical departure? "Well," says Jindrich "we're trying to get male
customers to think outside of his boxers." Good luck, Michael. As if women
haven't been trying to do that for ages.
Bowie Starts ISP
Contributed by Elizabeth Parker
via Reuters
July 30, 1998
David Bowie is launching his own Internet service provider
in September at a cost to the consumer of $19.95 a month.
BowieNet, at www.davidbowie.com, will offer high-speed
Internet service across North America and will expand
internationally later in the year. It will also offer e-mail
service and special music and entertainment access. "I
wanted to create an environment where not just my fans but
all music lovers could be a part of the same community -- a
single place where the vast archives of music information
could be accessed, views stated and ideas exchanged," Bowie
said.
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